OBERLIN — Oberlin could never be mistaken for a burgeoning desert city with a swelling population.

And resident Doug Johnson said he hopes it stays that way.

Johnson was one of about 25 residents who attended Monday’s meet-and-greet with Eric Norenberg, whom Council currently is considering for the city manager position.

Council also met with Norenberg in executive sessions on Saturday and for about an hour after the meet-and-greet as part of the interview process. Council President Daniel Gardner said a decision has not been reached on whether to offer Norenberg the job.

Norenberg, 44, has for the last two decades helped run Mesa, Ariz., a suburb of Phoenix with a population of about 500,000. He manages the Information Technology Department, which has an annual budget of $21.7 million.

How that translates into operating the small college town of Oberlin — population 8,239 — has Johnson a bit worried.

“He’s a pretty sharp guy, but I wonder whether he can contract that vast experience for Oberlin,” Johnson said.

But Norenberg said his knowledge of large-city operations will only make it easier to manage a small town.

“It would be an easy transition from the standpoint that I already have experience running a city,” he said. “There’s also a lot of good people here that I can work with.”

Norenberg has led Mesa’s parks department, worked closely with Mesa’s City Council during four years as special assistant to the city manager and has worked in some administrative capacity with the city since 1988. He has a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Michigan.

Resident Robin Jindra said she agreed that Norenberg’s experience would help the city.

“He’s been in the field for a while, and any new position with a new community is going to be different, regardless of their size,” she said.

Gardner said Norenberg has impressed Council so far.

“He handled himself nicely with the city employees, college president and all the superintendents,” Gardner said.
Council does not have a time frame to hire a new city manager, Gardner said.

Contact Adam Wright at 653-6257 or awright@chroniclet.com. 

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